On this 125-acre ALR land in Nanoose Bay, up to 40 acres are available for long-term lease to one or more groups of farmers. Ideally the land will be used for market gardening or field crop production. The landholders are open to ideas, but the farmers will need to generate revenues to help maintain farm status for the property. The soil likely requires amendments and regenerative work, but there is a lot of space available here for ambitious young farmers!
Land Details
Participant in BC Land Matching Program
Yes - This opportunity is participating in the BC Land Matching Program. Reach out to kiyomi@youngagrarians.org to start a conversation.
Total land size in acres
125 acres
Wooded Area
Yes - a few acres
Cultivable Area
18-20 acres
Expansion potential (acres)
Yes - About 20 acres of hay field
Zoning
ALR
Current use
Not used for agriculture - previously used for turf production
Current practices
Conventional -
State of the surface of the cultivable area
A combination of grassy meadow and bare soil, with remnants of turf.
Description and historical use of land available for farming
This portion of the land was leased to a turf business for about 6 years, until recently. About 10 acres were used for turf production, and the rest were kept primarily in wild meadows and a dirt parking lot. There is an irrigation pond that provides water year-around. The adjacent 20 acres or so is in uncut hay, that could also be converted to crop production with some soil regeneration work. Previously this area has been grazed by cattle, but has not been actively managed in many years.
Road Access
Yes
Electricity
Yes
Cell Service
Yes
Long-term goal or vision for land
The landholders operate a horse ranch & tourism business, which will continue. They would like to lease out the under-utilized areas of the land to one or more groups, producing market garden vegetables or field crops. They are open to ideas but the farmers must generate revenues (at least $10,000/year) to help maintain farm status. No livestock at this time, as they have enough horses on the property!
Known environmental hazards (wildfire area, flooding, etc.)
Yes - Seasonal flooding, sometimes
Current residents living on property
Yes
Availability of farm buildings
Yes
Land is fenced
Yes
Availability of farm machinery and tools
Yes
Water source
Pond/lake -
Water rights to these sources
Yes
On-site housing
Yes - A spot in the RV park might be available seasonally
Restricted access of visitors
Yes
Types of production you are open to
Vegetable -
Grain -
Hay & Forage -
Flower -
Practices preferred
Organic -
Conventional -
Agronomic potential
Good
Soil details
Unknown - not very fertile, would require amendments and/or regeneration
Preferred arrangement
Lease -
Would you be willing to mentor or advise the entering farmer(s)?
